Tides changed, birds migrated, majestic cliffs were shorn away by time and diligence. Even the darkest of hours were lifted in time, the hardest of burdens made lighter. Though the seasons had cycled on in the absence of the Dragon Queen, there had been an absence left in her wake, a hole that Kaj could never hope to fill. At times he felt it too, gnawing at the edges of his soul, dragging him into its darkness in the late hours of the night when his guard was low and his determination wavering. Other times he was bitter over it, more so after Resplendence had revealed that all she truly wanted sometimes was to have Mirage back. Was he not good enough? After all he had done to try and rebuild the Edge in the wake of her absence, the wraiths, the murders? His self esteem would not shake or waver, it would do him no good, and Archibald had shown him that. But the sting never really lessened.

A song curled round the edges of his ears, unmistakable. A deep breath shook the frame of the King, staring out at the sea from the precipice of the cliff's edge. The end of the world...in silence, mighty wings lifted, embracing the end of days. Whatever happened, nothing could change his decision, and with Kahlua and Archibald behind him not even the reappearance of the Dragonheart could sway their plans. But by the end of the hour, nothing would really be the same, regardless of how things changed. Kaj smiled to himself, brittle and bitter. Would they chase him from this throne, the suspected least loved of the trio? Would his family turn to Mirage, anoint her immediately? The Storm Bringer wasn't entirely sure she didn't deserve it. Even if he still felt she'd abandoned them, abandoned him.

Such petty thoughts had to wait, for there was an old Queen at his borders, and he still had to do her the honor of welcoming her home.

He stepped off the edge.

Wings caught him before the sea came too close, and with a few heavy, silent beats of the feathered appendages, he had risen back to the skies. It was a temporary consolation, a kiss of solitude and peace he could not indulge in forever. The buckskin stallion kept his ears trained on the old, lingering tendrils of the song that drew him towards the midnight mare he'd once held upon a pedestal. Two had already arrived before him, both of them on terms he still could not define. Resplendence's confession was an infection he could not cauterize, couldn't burn out of the ridges in his brain. Thor's words were far harsher in his memory, and with a distinct stiff discomfort to his posture, the King descended in their midst.

He kept himself a fair amount back, a motion of respect, of awareness. Perhaps even a tiny bit selfish, too, because he did not wish to be near Thor nor Resplendence in that moment. A soft gust of breath left his lungs, to see Mirage at last. It had been so long, he hadn't even considered how he'd feel if she ever really did come back. Part of him was happy to see her, to find in her form the old friend and trusted guide he'd once known. The other part wondered why he was such a terrible person, to feel the betrayal so strongly. Kaj had never really figured out the reasons behind her absence, but abandonment was not something the brute took lightly. It was childish to keep it held tight to his chest, but no matter his efforts, the Stormbringer could not detach it. Not yet.

"It is good to see you again, Mirage," he spoke softly, meant only for her ears and not the undoubtedly curious, prying ones in their midst. He had no doubt that Resplendence had already offered treatment for any illness or ailment, and so said nothing on the subject. The rest...well, he was left rather speechless. It seemed that everything he had to say was either too personal, meant for a private conversation, or too inadequate to even consider speaking aloud. So he settled for keeping his eyes upon her, a light smile on his face. Warm, relieved, brotherly. She had returned at last.